Descriptive language appeals to all five of our senses: taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound. When used correctly, descriptive words can entertain, persuade, inform, and educate the reader.

After all, the goal of fiction writing is to transport us to another land. Let's take a look at a list of descriptive words: adjectives, adverbs, and gerunds. They're some of the most powerful tools in the toolkit.

Adjectives

What's the most popular descriptor in the English language? The adjective. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. It's how we know the woman was gorgeous or the sunset was glittering. (However, it's worth noting that while all adjectives are descriptive words, not all descriptive words are adjectives.)

The best way to expand our adjectival knowledge is to pick up a book and read. In the meantime, let's prime the pump with this list of adjectives:

Adorable

Intrepid

Adventurous

Joyful

Acclaimed

Jubilant

Accomplished

Keen

Acrobatic

Kooky

Brave

Lanky

Bright

Lazy

Brilliant

Limp

Composed

Luxurious

Concerned

Mediocre

Concrete

Mellow

Conventional

Miserable

Delirious

Nocturnal

Demanding

Organic

Flustered

Ornate

Focused

Ordinary

Foolhardy

Powerless

Gregarious

Practical

Grim

Precious

Handsome

Puzzled

Handy

Questionable

Intelligent

Quirky

Adverbs

While adjectives provide further description for nouns, adverbs add on to verbs. Adverbs take things up a notch, though. They can also modify other adverbs, as well as adjectives. Adverbs can be used to describe concepts such time, place, circumstance, manner, or degree. Pretty impressive right?

Even though these modifiers are multi-faceted, it's wise to use them with caution. Writing that's doused in too many adverbs (or adjectives) is quickly earmarked as amateur.

That's why it's important to build an arsenal of adjectives and adverbs. With that kind of knowledge, you'll be able to pick the right one at the right time.

As you scroll through the list, you'll notice that the adverbs all end in -ly, but remember that there are adverbs, like "almost" or "seldom," that do not share this ending. Ready to dive in?

Angrily

Meagerly

Apathetically

Methodically

Amusingly

Neglectfully

Assertively

Normally

Begrudgingly

Pointlessly

Blissfully

Quickly

Cooly

Rapidly

Dutifully

Rashly

Eagerly

Seriously

Faintly

Tactfully

Frivolously

Tragically

Greedily

Vacantly

Hastily

Vividly

Intelligently

Weirdly

Kindly

Youthfully

Lazily

Zealously

Gerunds

Gerunds belong on the same branch of the family tree as adjectives and adverbs. But, they're kind of the quirky aunt or the ostentatious uncle.

Gerunds are created out of verbs, but function as nouns. Sounds weird, right? Take a look at this sentence: "Do you mind my borrowing your hair straighteners?" It seems like "borrowing" should be the verb, right? In fact, "borrowing" is the gerund, acting as a noun, and "mind" is the verb.

When it comes to using descriptive words, variety is key. Instead of overusing the same words, challenge yourself to come up with creative ways to appeal to your readers' senses. You can use this list of descriptive words for scents for help.

An effective use of descriptors will paint a vivid picture in your readers' minds and make your writing impossible to put down.

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List of Descriptive Words: Adjectives, Adverbs and Gerunds

By YourDictionary

Descriptive language appeals to all five of our senses: taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound. When used correctly, descriptive words can entertain, persuade, inform, and educate the reader.
After all, the goal of fiction writing is to transport us to another land. Let’s take a look at a list of descriptive words: adjectives, adverbs, and gerunds. They’re some of the most powerful tools in the toolkit.